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CHARLESTON (WV) - POLICE DEPARTMENT - ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW - POLICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT

NCJ Number
34235
Author(s)
J A NEEDLE
Date Published
1972
Length
7 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO THE CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR A REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESTRUCTURING.
Abstract
ORGANIZATION OF THE 145-MAN POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE. NEW PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE FOR BURGLARY PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN 'TACKED ON' RATHER THAN INTEGRATED INTO AN OVERALL ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN. THE ORGANIZATIONAL HIERACHY WAS FOUND TO BE CUMBERSOME AND INDISTINCT, PRECLUDING INTEGRATED DIRECTION AND CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT. A TRADITIONAL, RATHER THAN INNOVATIVE, NEW ORGANIZATION IS PROPOSED ON THE GROUND THAT A DEPARTMENT UNFAMILIAR WITH FUNDAMENTAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IMPLEMENTING MORE SOPHISTICATED ONES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ACTIVITY AND WORK LOAD DATA BE COLLECTED AND A MANAGEMENT SURVEY UNDERTAKEN SO THAT DECISIONS CONCERNING MANPOWER ALLOCATION CAN BE MADE.